ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Prime Minister's Office
PM praises Goa for harnessing solar power
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has praised the collaborative efforts of the Goa Energy Development Agency, the Department of New and Renewable Energy, and the Electricity Department that have resulted in the launch of subsidies for Solar Panel Installations accessible through a user-friendly portal. The initiative will inspire the people of Goa to adopt environment-friendly methods of electricity generation.
Reply to a tweet by the Chief Minister of Goa, Dr Pramod Sawant, the Prime Minister tweeted :
"Happy to see Goa harnessing the power of the sun. This collaborative effort will boost sustainable development."
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Cabinet approves Second Protocol amending the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement  between India and Singapore
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its ex-post facto approval to the Second Protocol amending the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement  between India and Singapore. The CECA was signed on 24th August 2018.
Benefits:
Signing of the Second Protocol will enhance bilateral trade and will deepen the Economic Cooperation between India and Singapore. It will also improve utilization of CECA.
Ministry of Defence
Raksha Mantri receives Rs. 224 Crore as Second Interim Dividend from BEL for FY 2022-23
Bharat Electronics Ltd , a Navratna Defence PSU, presented the second interim dividend cheque of Rs. 224,27,53,160.40/- to Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh in New Delhi today on March 27, 2023. BEL has declared 60% percent as Second Interim Dividend  to its shareholders for the financial year 2022 – 23.
This is the 20th consecutive year that BEL is paying Interim Dividend. BEL has paid 60% percent as First Interim Dividend  in February 2023 to its shareholders for the financial year 2022 – 23. It has also paid a total dividend of 450% on its paid-up capital for the financial year 2021 – 22.
Special Service and Features
Brief on Crafts Bazaar
On the side-lines of the G20 Summit in New Delhi, a ‘CraftsBazaar’  is being set up in BharatMandapam, Pragati Maidan from 8-10 September, 2023.
This Crafts Bazaar willshowcase handicraft productsfrom different parts of Indiawith a special focus on OneDistrict One Product ,GI tagged items and productscrafted by women & tribalartisans. Delegates,international mediaparticipating in the Summitwill have an opportunity to visitthis Crafts Bazaar andpurchase locally sourced products. The Bazaar would thus, not only promotemade in India products on a global stage, but also open up new economic and market opportunities for local artisans. The exhibition is being organised by the G20 Secretariat in coordination with the Ministry of Textiles and State/UT Governments. Around 30 States and UTs as well as Central agencies like Khadi Village & Industries Commission, TRIFED, Saras Ajeevika will be participating in the Crafts Bazaar.
To demonstrate the skills and exquisite workmanship of Indian artisans tointernational delegates, special live demonstrations by master craftsmen hasalso been planned as part of the Crafts Bazaar. To exhibit the exceptionalhandicraft and handloom items from the North East, a ‘Focus North East’ stallis being set up in coordination with the North-Eastern Handicrafts &Handloom Development Corporation .
More than 30 States & UTs from all over country are participating to showcaseIndia's immemorial Craft Heritage to the global media & G20 Delegates.Apart from 30 States, 6 Central Agencies namely Tribes India ,Central Cottage Industries Emporium, Khadi Gramodyog, SARAS Ajeevika,National Bamboo Mission & National Scheduled Castes Finance andDevelopment Corporation  are showcasing the diverse and richheritage of India through its craft.
In addition we have participation from LiveArtisans  fromaround the country for Live Demonstration ofArt & Craft. Some of the genres are as follows:-
• Paper Mache from Kashmir 
• Lac Bangles from Rajasthan 
• Madhubani Paintings from Bihar 
• Thanjavur Paintings from Tamil Nadu
• Lippon paintings/Mud mirror work fromGujarat 
Venue:- Hall No 3, Bharat Mandapam, NewDelhi
Date:- 09 & 10 September 2023
Ministry of Railways
Major achievements of Indian Railways in Financial Year -2021-22
During the Financial Year- 2021-22, Indian Railways  achieved milestones in various categories including freight loading, electrification, New Line/ Doubling/ Gauge Conversion, Loco production and also the integration of technology for ensuring safety.
Highlights of Indian Railways  achievements in Financial Year- 2021-22 are mentioned below:
- Freight Loading: IR has loaded 1418.10 MT during 2021-22 as compared to 1233.24 MT in 2020-21 +15 %. This is the highest ever loading for IR in a Financial Year and IR has achieved highest ever monthly loadings in consecutive respective 19 months from Sep’20 to Mar’22).
- Record electrification of 6,366 RKMs has been achieved in IR history during 2021-22. Previous highest electrification was 6,015 RKM during 2020-21. As on 31.03.2022, out of 65,141 RKM of BG network of IR , 52,247 BG RKM has been electrified, which is 80.20% of the total BG network.
- In New Line/ Doubling/ Gauge Conversion, 2904 km was achieved against target of 2400 Km, and 2361 km of 2020-21. It is 23% more than last year. It is also the Highest ever commissioning 
- Highest ever Electric Loco Production & induction of 1,110 Locos  was achieved in FY 2021-22
- Highest ever Scrap Sale achieved Rs 5316.1 Cr, as compared to Rs 4571.4 Cr in 2020-21  
- Total Panel/ Electronic Interlocking of Stations achieved 444 and Kavach commsisioned at 850 Rkm
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 UPDATE
193.31 cr vaccine doses have been administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
India's Active caseload currently stands at 17,698
Active cases stand at 0.04%
Recovery Rate currently at 98.74%
2,070 recoveries in the last 24 hours increases Total Recoveries to
4,26,13,440
2,706 new cases recorded in the last 24 hours
Daily positivity rate 
Weekly Positivity Rate 
85 cr Total Tests conducted so far; 2,78,267 tests conducted in the last 24 hours
Prime Minister's Office
Prime Minister’s Telephonic Conversation with US President Barack Obama
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi received a telephone call from US President, Mr Barack Obama yesterday evening.
Ministry of Finance
Goods and Services Tax Council – Journey so far;
GST Council met 30 times, took 918 decisions since its Constitution;
96% of decisions already been implemented through 294 Notifications
Till date, the Goods and Services Tax  Council has taken 918 decisions related to GST laws, rules, rates, compensation and taxation threshold etc. More than 96% of the decisions have already been implemented through 294 Notifications issued by the Central Government and the remaining are under various stages of implementation. Almost equal number of corresponding SGST Notifications have been issued by each State.
The GST Council Members under the Chairpersonship of the Union Finance Minister have spent long hours discussing the broad contours as well as the nitty gritty of the new GST regime in a harmonious and collaborative spirit. Till now, 30 GST Council Meetings have taken place. Detailed Agenda Notes were prepared before every GST Council Meeting and discussed in the preparatory Officer’s Meeting to enable the Council Members to fully appreciate the issues under consideration. The Detailed Agenda Notes for the 30 GST Council Meetings ran into 4730 pages. The discussions in the GST Council were very detailed, reflecting the collective wisdom of the Council and this has been captured exhaustively in the Minutes of the 30 Council Meetings running into 1394 pages.
The GST Council was constituted on 15th September 2016 under Article 279A of the Constitution. It consists of the Union Finance Minister , Union Minister of State in charge of the Revenue or Finance and the Minister in charge of Finance or Taxation or any other Minister nominated by each State Government. Union Revenue Secretary is the ex-officio Secretary to the GST Council. The working of GST Council has ushered in a New Phase of Cooperative Federalism where the Central and the State Governments work together to take collective decisions on all issues relating to Indirect Tax regime of the country.
Ministry of Coal
Coal Ministry to Sign Agreements for Mines Auctioned During 6th Round of Commercial Auctions
Launching Seventh Round Auctions on 29th March
The Ministry of Coal will be signing the agreements for 28 coal mines auctioned under 6th round and launching the seventh round of auction of mines for sale of coal on March 29, 2023.
The Union Minister of Defence, Shri Rajnath Singh, will be the chief guest and will be launching the next round of auction. Union Minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Pralhad Joshi will preside over the event and Minister of State for Coal, Mines and Railways Shri Raosaheb Patil Danve will be the Guest of Honour.
The cumulative PRC of the 28 coal mines which were auctioned under 6th round for which the agreements are being singed is 74 Million Ton Per Annum  and these mines are expected to generate annual revenue of Rs. 14,497 crores calculated at PRC of these coal mines. Upon operationalisation, these mines are expected to generate employment for one lakh people.
The coal mines being offered under 7th round are a mix of partially explored, fully explored, coking, non-coking, lignite etc. Of the 106 coal mines offered under 7th round, 61 mines are partially explored coal mines and 45 are fully explored ones. There are 95 non-coking coal mines, one coking coal mine and 10 lignite mines being offered under 7th round of auctions.
The commencement of sale of Tender Document shall start from March 29, 2023. Details of the mines, auction terms, timelines etc. can be accessed on MSTC auction platform. The auction shall be held online through a transparent two stage process, on the basis of Percentage Revenue Share.
Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises
Pradhan Mantri Employment Guarantee Scheme
Ministry of Ministry of Micro, Small And Medium Enterprises, through Khadi and Village Industries Commission , is implementing Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme  across the country including Assam, Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan State for assisting entrepreneurs in setting up of new units in the non-farm sector. It aims to provide employment opportunities to traditional artisans/ rural and urban unemployed youth at their doorstep.
Under PMEGP, General Category beneficiaries can avail Margin Money  subsidy of 25% of the project cost in rural areas and 15% in urban areas. For beneficiaries belonging to Special Categories such as Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, OBCs, Minorities, Women, Ex-servicemen, Physically Handicapped, Transgenders, beneficiaries belonging to Northeastern Region, Hill and Border areas, and Aspirational Districts, the Margin Money subsidy is 35% in rural areas and 25% in urban areas. Besides, beneficiaries from General Categories contribute 10% of project cost while beneficiaries from Special Categories contribute 5% of project cost. The maximum cost of project is Rs. 50 lakhs in the manufacturing sector and Rs. 20 lakhs in the service sector.
Since 2018-19, 2nd financial assistance of upto Rs. 1 cr. for upgradation and expansion of well-performing existing PMEGP/REGP/MUDRA units have been introduced with subsidy of 15% .
Under PMEGP, around 80% of the total units are in rural areas, whereas ~14% of total units are in Aspirational districts. Further, nearly 50% of the total units are owned by women and SC/ST entrepreneurs.
Details of targets set and achievements made under PMEGP in the country including rural areas as well as in Assam, Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan State during last three years is given at Annexure.
The number of estimated employment generated in rural areas of Assam, Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan State under PMEGP during last 3 years is given below:
|
|
Year
|
|
Estimated employment generated
|
|
Assam
|
|
Tamil Nadu
|
|
Rajasthan
|
|
2020-21
|
|
19744
|
|
35040
|
|
16336
|
|
2021-22
|
|
26208
|
|
39336
|
|
15256
|
|
2022-23
|
|
17320
|
|
39032
|
|
13008
Under PMEGP, there is no specific target set for Women entrepreneurs. However, women are considered under Special Categories under the scheme and are eligible for higher Margin Money subsidy and lower personal contribution. The details of women led units assisted under PMEGP during last 3 years are given below:
|
|
Year
|
|
Women led units assisted
|
|
2020-21
|
|
27285
|
|
2021-22
|
|
39156
|
|
2022-23
|
|
32626
This information was given by Minister of State for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises, Shri Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs
URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT FUND
Union Budget 2023-24 has announced the setting up of the Urban Infrastructure Development Fund  through use of priority sector lending shortfall. Rs. 10,000 crore per annum will be made available for this purpose. The Fund will be managed by the National Housing Bank, and will be used by public agencies to create urban infrastructure in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities on the basis of given guidelines. As per the Budget announcement, States will be encouraged to leverage resources from the grants of the 15th Finance Commission, as well as existing schemes, to adopt appropriate user charges while accessing the UIDF. The Fund would be operationalised broadly along the lines of the existing Rural Infrastructure Development Fund.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Housing & Urban Affairs, Shri Kaushal Kishore, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs
Union Minister Hardeep S Puri pays tribute to Rashtrapita Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat
Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Housing & Urban Affairs and Petroleum & Natural Gas, paid tributes to Rashtrapita Mahatma Gandhi on his 154th birth anniversary. He joined President Smt Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and other dignitaries to pay respects to the father of the nation on Rajghat today.
To celebrate the special occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, Shri Puri and his wife Smt Lakshmi M Puri purchased the khadi fabrics from Khadi India. In a post on social media platform ‘X’, the Minister said, “Khadi, which began as the soul of India’s freedom struggle, continues to capture the imagination of citizens as India journeys through #AmritKaal”.
The Minister also paid homage to the former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri on his birth anniversary. In a social media post, he stated, “I pay homage to freedom fighter & India’s former PM, Bharat Ratna Sh Lal Bahadur Shastri Ji on his birth anniversary. An exemplary stalwart, his simple & austere life continues to inspire generations.”
Ministry of Civil Aviation
63 passengers have been placed in "No Fly List" in last one year
Majority of passengers were either not wearing mask or not cooperating with crew members.
In last 1 year, a total of 63 passengers have been placed in "No Fly List" for such period, as recommended by the airline's Internal Committee, constituted in accordance with Civil Aviation Requirements , Section 3- Air Transport, Series M, and Part VI titled "Handling of unruly / disruptive passengers". These include 02  incidents of urinating that have come to the notice of Directorate General of Civil Aviation  in last 01 year.
As per the provision mentioned in CAR, a 'No Fly List' is maintained by DGCA containing specific information related to the passenger involved, contact details of identification documents, date of occurrence, sector, flight number, period of imposition of ban etc. The majority of passengers placed in "No Fly List" were for violation related to not wearing mask or not obeying the instructions of crew members.
As regards specific incidents related to urination, following action was taken by DGCA for non-compliance to applicable regulations:
1) AI-102 flight, New York to New Delhi dated 26.11.2022.
 Financial Penalty of Rs.30,00,000/-  has been imposed on M/s Air India.
 Financial Penalty of Rs.3,00,000/-  has been imposed on Director Flight services of M/s Air India.
 License of Pilot in Command suspended for three months.
2) AI-142, Paris to New Delhi dated 06.12.2022.
 Financial Penalty of Rs.10,00,000/-  has been imposed by DGCA to M/s Air India.
This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation Gen.  V. K. Singh,  in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
PM greets people of Uttarakhand on Uttarakhand Foundation Day
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, has greeted the people of Uttarakhand on Uttarakhand Foundation Day.
(“विकास के पथ पर अग्रसर उत्तराखंड के निवासियों को राज्य के स्थापना दिवस की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं। On Uttarakhand Foundation Day, my greetings to the people of the state”, the Prime Minister said.
Ministry of Finance
Income Tax Department conducts searches in Bihar & UP
The Income Tax Department, on the basis of actionable intelligence received, conducted search and seizure actions on 06-10-2020 in Patna, Sasaram and Varanasi in the case of a person, who is in the business of mining and hotel industry. Search was also conducted in the case of a Chairman of a large cooperative bank.
During the search, an amount of Rs 75 lakh was found in a car belonging to this person. Subsequent investigations led to the finding that this amount was unaccounted and was also linked to the Chairman of a cooperative bank. During the search, unaccounted cash and documents having details of substantial cash transactions were found and seized. These transactions are not reflected in the corresponding Returns of Income.
The IT Department is also investigating the sources of investment in houses, a hotel and various vehicles of this individual. The documents found during the search also reveal that unaccounted and illegal mining of stone was also undertaken by the group. Further, it is seen that the books of accounts reflect crores of credits, which are also being examined for genuineness.
Unexplained cash totalling up to Rs. 1.25 crore has been seized, while FDRs worth Rs. 6 crore have been placed under prohibitory orders.
Further investigations are going on.
Ministry of Communications
TRAI releases Consultation Paper on ‘Issues related to FM Radio broadcasting’
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India  has today released a Consultation Paper  on “Issues related to FM Radio broadcasting”.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting  vide its references dated 11.05.2022 has sought recommendations of the Authority, under section 11 of the TRAI Act, 1997 on the following issues:
- Remove the linkage to Non-Refundable One Time Entry Fee  in the formula for annual fee as prescribed in the FM Ph-III Policy Guidelines dated 25.07.2011.
- Extend the existing FM license period of 15 years by 3 years.
In order to discuss various issues related to FM Radio broadcasting, the Authority held a meeting with representatives of AROI on 5th August 2022. Representatives of AROI, inter-alia, raised the following issues for consideration of the Authority:
- Permitting private FM Radio channels to broadcast independent news bulletins
- Availability of FM Radio Receivers in Mobile Handsets
Accordingly, this Consultation Paper has been prepared to seek the comments/views of the stakeholders on the issues related to FM Radio broadcasting. Written comments on the consultation paper are invited from the stakeholders by 9th March 2023. Counter comments, if any, may be submitted by 23rd March 2023. The comments and counter-comments may be sent, preferably in electronic form on the email ID advbcs-2@trai.gov.in and jtadvbcs-1@trai.gov.in.
For any clarification/ information, Shri Anil Kumar Bhardwaj, Advisor  may be contacted at Tel. No. +91-11-23237922.
The full text of the consultation paper is available on TRAI’s website www.trai.gov.in.
Ministry of Communications
Union IT and Communications Minister Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad releases “My Stamp on Chhath Puja”
A special cover on theme “Chhath- A symbol of Simplicity and Cleanliness” was also released during the virtual event
Shri Prasad calls upon Postal Department to explore possibility of depicting history of various popular festivals through stamps
Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, Union Minister of Communications, Electronics & Information Technology and Law and Justice released a “My Stamp on Chhath Puja” today. My Stamp is an innovative concept initiated by Department of Posts. Any common person or corporate organisation can now book order and get a personalised photograph or an image of a Postage Stamp. My Stamp is one of the unique products being offered by India Post, which has gained its popularity in customised gifting category.
My Stamp on Chhath Puja is available in all Philatelic bureaux and major post offices across the country. A special cover on the theme ‘Chhath- A symbol of Simplicity and Cleanliness ‘was also released.
Union Minister, Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad while releasing the My Stamp said the Chhath Puja is the only festival in which we worship not only the rising sun but also the sunset i.e. Usha and Pratyusha. The worship of Surya and ChhathiMaiya is unique to the traditions and propagates values of simplicity, purity and discipline.
Shri Prasad congratulated the good work done by the Department of Posts during the pandemic especially the harnessing of digital technology for delivering money at the doorsteps of beneficiaries.
He called upon the Department to explore the possibility of depicting the history of various popular festivals through stamps.Shri PK Bisoi, Secretary , Department of Posts welcomed the Hon’ble Minister and other distinguished guests. Shri Nitin Nabin, MLA Bankipore and Shri Sanjiv Kumar Chaurasia, MLA Digha attended the function through video conferencing in the presence of Shri Anil Kumar, Chief Postmaster, Bihar Circle and other officials of Bihar Postal Circle. Shri Vineet Pandey, Director General, proposed the vote of thanks.